Mary Ann Dacomb Scharlieb 1845 – 1930
(née Bird, made a Dame 1926)
Female physician and gynaecologist.
18 June 1845 – 21 November 1930
see: Medical Women and Female Patients in the 1890s – Pascal Theatre Company (pascal-theatre.com)
Education
School educated.
Some Key Achievements and Interests
Supported the work of her husband’s legal practice in India and motivated by learning of the suffering of Hindu and Muslim women in childbirth as they couldn’t receive the help of male doctors, she became determined to study medicine.
At a time when there was opposition to women becoming doctors, she helped influence many who did not support the medical training of doctors. She argued the need to maintain female modesty, particularly with regard to Indian women, necessitated women doctors.
1874 Gained admittance to the Madras Medical College with great difficulty and awarded a diploma in 1877.
Studied at the London School of Medicine for Women (LSMW), qualifying in 1882 and gaining a gold medal for obstetrics.
Awarded a scholarship to study operative midwifery at the Frauenklinik in Vienna.
1883 Returned to India to found a hospital for Indian women working as a lecturer and examiner at the Madras Medical College.
1884-6 Helped found the Royal Victoria Hospital for Caste and Gosha Women.
Ran a successful private practice in India.
1887 Returned to London and, in 1888, obtained her MD degree from London University, the first woman to do so.
1889 Appointed lecturer in the diseases of women at the LSMW.
Ran a successful private practice in London.
1892-1903 Worked as senior surgeon and consultant at the New Hospital for Women (founded by Elizabeth Garrett Anderson) and member of the consultant staff.
1897 Obtained a Master of Surgery degree from the University of London: MS (London)
1902 -1907 Consultant Gynaecologist at the Royal Free Hospital, the first woman to hold this position.
1917 Awarded a CBE and 1926 a DBE.
1920 Appointed one of first women magistrates.
1913-1916 Served on the Royal Commission on venereal diseases.
1918-1930 President of the London School of Medicine for Women.
1928 Awarded honorary LLD from Edinburgh University.
Influential in persuading Queen Victoria on the importance of women entering the professional medical world particularly with regard to their work overseas in such countries as India. Before her departure to India in 1883, Queen Victoria received her to hear of the sufferings of women who could not access women doctors. The Queen gave Scharlieb the message:
‘Tell them how deeply their Queen sympathises with them, and how glad she is that they should have medical women to help them in their hour of need.’
Influential in changing public opinion to accept women as medical practitioners, showing that by determination, commitment and hard work a woman could raise a family and work as a doctor.
Engaged in public affairs particularly promoting actions to improve the health of women and children. She also supported the right of women to pursue professional careers not believing this compromised their roles as wives and mothers.
Issues
Parents initially opposed marriage to William Sharlieb because of her age (20), the fact he was much older than her, and the fact it would take her to India.
When she attempted to train as a midwife in India, she was barred because, as a woman, she could not sleep in the hospital, one of the criteria for acceptance. Other hurdles were also put in her way.
Overworking for lack of women doctors to support her work, her health suffered in India forcing her to return to England.
Member of the Council of Obstetrics and Gynaecological Section of the Royal Society of Medicine but not permitted as a woman to participate in the running of the society or election of officers.
While campaigning for better awareness of the effects of venereal disease she was wary of new development in birth control. She disagreed with many on her opposition to contraception.
Connection to Bloomsbury
London School of Medicine for Women, University of London.
The Royal Free Hospital, Grays Inn Road.
Female Networks
Medical colleagues.
Writing/Publications include:
Wrote on public health, venereal disease, sex education and family life.
1895 A Woman’s Words to Women on the Care of the Health in England and in India.
1905 The Mother’s Guide to the Health and Care of her Children.
1912 Womanhood and Race-Regeneration.
1926 How to Enlighten our Children.
Further reading:
Brock, Claire: British Women Surgeons and their Patients, 1860-1918 ; British_Women_Surgeons_and_their_Patients__1860_1918.pdf
Obituary in the British Medical Journal March 14 1931 DOUGLAS DREW, M.D., F.R.C.S | The BMJ
See also: Wellcome Collection Collections